14 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1865. 



ored as those of Mr. Merrificld. It was very difficult to determine which of 

 these two beautiful collections rightfully ouglit to receive the first prize ; but 

 the votes of a majority of the Comailttee finally favored Mr. Merrifield's. In 

 regard to the comparative merits of the other collections it was not until after 

 patient examination and consultation that it was possible to arrive at a satisfac- 

 tory conclusion ; but by off-setting — 'One against another — form and weight of 

 bunches, and color (as evidence of ripeness; of berries, &c., &c., the result of 

 the competition came at length to be as I'ecommended in the schedule of pre- 

 miums hereto annexed. 



Some Diana grapes raised under glass by W. IT. Thurston, of Oxford, were 

 large and fine, but deficient in color, which is deemed an important indication of 

 perfect development in all fruit, whatever be the mode of cultivation. ChikV.s 

 Superb, so named in Mr. Thurston's collection, was believed to be something 

 else, probably some foreign variety. 



Of out-door Grapes, there was a large and varied representation, from thirty- 

 eight contributors. There were, however, but five competitors for the two pri- 

 zes offered, this year, for " collections of not less than six varieties." The de- 

 cisions of the Committee will be found below. 



Among the grapes especially noticed as being very superior, were magnificent 

 clusters of the Union Village, also fine Allen's Hybrid and Adirondac, from 

 George H. Martin, of Xorwich, Conn. 



Valuable contributions deserving honorable mention in this department, were 

 made, also, by George H. Estabrook, Daniel Tdinter, and Wm. A. Wheeler, of 

 Worcester, by J. C. Lovell, of West Boylston, and by H. W. Thurston, of Oxford. 



Aside from the above-named, and from those mentioned in the following list 

 of the premiums recommended, there were a considerable number of contribu- 

 tions of grapes, which, though falling below the prize standard of excellence, 

 would have been made the subject of a critical notice, had there been time to 

 enter into such details. 



The Committee had the gratification of tasting finely ripened specimens of 

 a delicious new out-door grape raised from the seed of the Diana and named 

 the lona. If this grape shall prove to be adapted to our climate, it will be a 

 great acquisition. The specimens — the only ones in the Hall — were contributed 

 by an agent of Dr. Grant, with whom this grape originated, on the Island of 

 lona, N. Y. It may be stated here that the lona is the grape to which was re. 

 cently awarded the one hundred dollar prize, offered by the Hon. Elorace Gree- 

 ley, for "the best grape adapted to general cultivation in the Middle and East- 

 ern States. 



Several samples of the fruit of wild vines transplanted from the fields and 

 woods, were noticed on the tables; but the Committee cannot recommend the 

 cultivation of even the best of this class of grapes, unless possibly it may be in 

 localities where the excellent varieties — Hartford, Delaware, Concord, and 

 Diana — recommended by the Society, will none of them mature their fruit. 

 The truth is, none of these wildlings can, for a moment, maintain a position by 

 the side of the poorest of our modern improved seedlings. 



